Loom controlling mechanism



June 9, 1942. w.|=. Aem-:Y

` LOOM OONTROLLIG ,MECHANISM 5 shevts-sneet'l Original Filed June 23, 1938 June"9, 1942'. w; F. ASTLEY Loom coNTRoLLINGMEcHANIsln/x original LFiled June 23, 195e 5 :Sheets-Sheet 2 JZSZZey ww MNM) WW 5,5% NWS June 9, 1942. w. F. A51-LEY 2,285,385

LOOM CONTROLLING MECHISM 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Original Filed June 23, 1938 BwN NWN NQN NWN NNN NWN. URN QNN @N mN QIQINI June 9, 1942. w. o. AS1-LEY Loom conmoLLme MEcHANIsM 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Original Filed June 23. 1938 June 9, 1942. w. F. AsrLEY 2,285,385

LOOM CONTROLLING MECHANISM Original Filed June 23, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented `lune 9, 1942 UNITED STATES HQE LOOM CON TROLLING MECHANISM William F. Astley, Cicero, Ill., assignor to Union Asbestos & Rubber Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois 13 Claims.

The present invention relates to loom controlling mechanism and is a division of my prior application Serial No. 215,397 led June 23, 1938, on Machines and methods of weaving insulation, United States Patent No. 2,239,514 issued April 22, 1941.

The loom which forms the subject-matter of my prior application is adapted to weave insulating blankets of warp threads and bulk bers bility of slow action or the driving of both of the mechanisms at the same time which are to be controlled. l

Other objects and advantages of the vinvention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, in which similar characters of reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawings, of which there are or weft members which comprise the carded and lu five sheets, open asbestos or other fibers in the form of Fig. 1 is an end elevational view of a loom emsliver, the bulk having substantially no tensile bodying the invention; strength. Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of a loom em- Therefore, the machine of my prior applicabodying the invention; tion is of a type provided with the usual heddles lo Fig. 3 is a fragmentary top plan view of the forming a shed, but the loom has a special comb conveyor for conveying the loose bers into the provided with a shelf adapted to support the shed; fibers until they are driven into the shed. In Fig. 4 is a view in perspective of the main parts addition to this, it is provided with means for of the loom controlling mechanism which forms conveying the loose fibers into the shed. It is U the subject of the present application; one of the primary requirements of such a ma- Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view in perspective of chine that the conveying means be removed parts of the comb and conveyor with the confrom within the shed at the time that the lay veyor in the act of depositing loose bers on is actuated to drive the bers into the shed. the comb; The conveyor would otherwise interfere with the 3 Fig. 6 is a similar view with the yconveyor in operation of the loom. the act of depositing yarns or rovings of loose It is also a requirement that the loom shall asbestos fibers wrapped with spiral threads upon be effectively stopped or shall hesitate in its the same comb; aCtOn until the COIIVeYor has an OPDOTUHY t0 Fig. 7 is a fragmentary plan view of a blanket move into the shed for the purpose 0f depositing :3U adapted tc be woven by the present machine; the fibers on the comb. If the loom were not Fig. 8 is a similar fragmentary View With the stopped, there would be inevitable interference warp members shown in dotted lines and the between the elements of the loom and the weft composed of loose unspun fibers; C0I1VeY0I`- Fig. 9 is a fragmentary elevational view of a One of the objects of the present invention is 35 yarn or roving member of the type of which the the provision of an improved controlling mechaweft of the blanket in Fig. 7 is composed; and nism for a loom by means of which the lay and Fig. 10 is a fragmentary sectional View taken the conveyor may be operated alternately so that on the plane of the line {u ll] 0f Fig, 4 showing the C0nVey0I`-maY be removed from the Shed the lost motion arrangement by means of which When the lay 1S to be actuated and the 100m may 'w the automatically reversible clutch is adapted to be stopped in its ordinary operation while the be actuated conveyor is depositing fibers in the shed on the Referring to Figs. 1 and 2J the Weaving ma comb hine 39 elevations of which are shown 1n these Another object of the 1nvent1on 1s the provl- C sion of a controlling mechanism of the class dei5 gures. Cmpnss ta frar Whlch be uid;- scribed which is certain and positive in its action ated m lts entne y by e pumera consls and which is adapted to be used for a long period mg of 1 a plurahty of Vert-leal and .transverse of time Without necessity for repair or rep1a channeled members of steel or other suitable mamerm ter1al, such as, for example, the vert1cal frame Another object of the invention is the proviin) members 32, 33, 34, 35, 35, 37 38, 39, 40, 4| and sion of an improved controlling mechanism of the class described which has a snap action by means of which its controlling clutch is positively moved and positively held in either of the controlling positions so that there is no possi- 42, and the horizontal frame members 43, 44, 45, 46, 4l, 18, 49, etc. Such suitable frame members may thus be provided and suitably located to support the bearings, shafts, and other elements of the machinery at the points shown, and the framework may be varied considerably without changing the operation of the machine.

The mechanism may be driven by a suitable electric motor 50, the drive shaft of which carries a pinion meshing with the gear 52 carried by the drive shaft 53. The direction of rotation of the drive shaft 53 may, for example, be clockwise, looking at the right end of the shaft 53. The element indicated by the numeral '54 is a standard Johnson clutch, which is used for stopping and starting the machine.

Before describing the rest of the gearing and actuating mechanism, various important functional parts of the machine will be indicated with suitable numerals. The vertical frame members 33 and horizontal frame member 41 comprise the supports for the heddle frames 55, having the usual type of heddles 56 for controlling the action of the warp threads.

The heddles and heddle frames 55 are moved upward and downward in the usual manner by a mechanism which comprises the pulleys 51, chains 58, bellcranks 59, and chains 50, which are secured to the bellcrank 6 The bellcrank 6| has two arms 62 and 63, the u lower one of which is suitably connected to means for actuating the chains 64, which are connected to the lower part of the heddle frames 55. Bellcrank 6| is actuated by a roller 55, which is mounted Within the track 85 of a cam 61. By means of this mechanism the heddles are so `operated, and by means of the heddles the war-p threads 68, 89, which form the shed 18, are so manipulated that they are alternately crossed about the weft after the weft has been suitably 1 laid in the shed and driven forward into tight engagement with the warp threads by the lay.

The operation of the heddle frames is, of course, synchronized with the rest of the machine, as will be described hereinafter. warp threads 88 and 89, which form the shed T8, come from suitable spindles, the separate threads being indicated at the right of the machine by the numerals 'l0 and |2 and I3 comprise friction rollers; that is, rollers covered with friction material, such as a soft rubber covering about which the Warp threads T0 and 1| are wrapped, and the rollers 14, 15, 18, 11 are merely guide rollers for guiding the warp threads in the proper direction. From the last guide rollers 15,

16, the warp threads 58, 59 extend to heddles.

The friction drums 12, 'I3 maintain a suitable tension on the warp threads, and the tension may be varied to change the characteristics of the blanket of insulation to be woven.

The present weaving machine is provided with an improved form of lay 80, comprising the reeds 8|, which are of particular shape for accomplishing a new function. rThe reeds 3| of the lay are adapted not only to maintain the alignment of the warp threads and to force the weft up closely between the warp threads of the shed, but the reeds 8| are also adapted to support the weft in proper position, although the weft may be of such character that it has nc tensile strength whatever, so that it cannot be supported merely at each end of the weft, as is the case where the weft is a member having tensile strength.

Referring to Fig. 5, reed 8| comprises an upper angle iron 82 and a lower angle iron 83, to which are secured a multiplicity of straps or bands of steel 84 of suitable material, the bands being separated by the slots 85 of sufficient width to pass the warp threads.

Theby The bands 84, comprising the reed 8| and the downwardly extending flat portion 85, are provided with an obtuse angle at 8T. They also have a diagonally downwardly extending fiat portion 88 and are provided with a bend at 89, which is slightly less than ninety degrees so that the flat portion 90 of the bands 84 extends in substantially horizontal direction. Thereafter the bands 84 are bent back at 9| and provided with a fiat portion 92 which extends downwardly and backwardly in a diagonal direction toward an attaching flange 93, which is at substantially right angles to the portion 92.

The ends of the fiat portions 88 and 93 are secured to the angle irons 82, 83 by screws or other fastening means passing through the bands and threaded into the angle irons. rThus the reed 8| is provided With a flat shelf which may be designated by the portion 90, upon which the warp material may be supported and the weft may be of such material that it has no tensile strength, since it is supported over practically the full length of the weft, that is, the width of the fabric or blanket.

Referring to Fig. 1, the lay 80 has its upper and lower angle irons 82, 83 secured at their ends to the upwardly extending levers |0|. The levers |00, |0| are pivoted on horizontal base members of the frame at the point |02.

The levers |0| are each provided with a suitable roller or pin |03, which is adapted to move in the eccentrically located groove |04 of a cam member |05, which is carried by shaft |00. The shape of the cam groove |04 is such that as the cam disc |05 rotates the roller |03 follows the groove |04 and the lay levers |00, |0| are pivoted back and forth from the position of Fig. 2 to a position in which the lay 80 drives the weft over tightly between the warp threads 68 and 69 of the shed 18. Of course, this action is taken only at the proper time, as the action of the lay is synchronized with the other mechanism of the weaving machine, as will be described later.

Referring .again to Figs. 5 and 6, when the weaving machine is fed with weft material of the type disclosed in my prior application, Serial No, 188,720 (Fig. 1), which is made by machines of my prior application, Serial No. 195,117, filed March l0, 1938, No. 2,191,875 issued February 7, 1940, the weaving machine is preferably -provided with a means for catching the weft and holding it in proper position at the sides of the lay, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6.

The weft material referred to is shown in Fig. 6 and indicated by H0, and comprises opened and carded asbestos fibers, such as Amosite, which have been slightly confined by the spirally extending asbestos threads ||2, which may be wrapped spirally about the loose fibers in opposite directions.

ySuch insulating units used as the weft have sufficient tensile strength so that they can be deposited in a barrel or other container in coils, as disclosed in my prior application, Serial No. 195,117, and can be withdrawn from the barrel by the weft feeding mechanism of this weaving machine.

The weft unit ||0 also has suiiicient tensile strength so that it can be caught at the side of the lay by the mechanism disclosed in Figs. 5 and 6, the operation and structure of which will now be described.

The angle iron 83 at the lower part of the lay supports a downwardly extending arm 3, which is xedly secured thereto, and which is provided with a pivot bolt II4 for pivotally supporting a holding lever II5. The holding lever II5 has an upwardly extending arm ||6 and a backwardly extending arm II'I, which are located below the shelf 90 of the lay, the purpose of these arms being to keep these parts of the lever II5 out of the way of the shed so that there will be no interference between this mechanism and the warp threads.

The lever II5 has an upwardly extending arm I I8 and a forwardly extending hook I |9, the hook IIS being of sufficient length and the space |26 between the hook II9 and arm III being large enough so that the hook IIS can embrace the weft I I0, whether it consists of one or two or more strands or units.

As shown in Fig. 6, the hook or arm ||9 is engaged by the weft units III), and is in position to hold them at that side of the lay. For this purpose the arm H3 has an upwardly extending portion I2I, which is provided with a pivot |22 for supporting a latch |23. The latch |23 has a shoulder |24 which engages the shoulder |25 on the holding member I I5. The arm |2I and holding member I I5 are also connected by means of the tension spring |26, which may consist of the helical spring having hooks at its end, the hooks being engaged about the pin |21, carried by arm I2| and about pin |28 and carried by holding member I I5.

The spring |26 tends to pull the holding member I I5 in a clockwise direction toward the position of Fig. 6; but the holding member II5 is latched until a predetermined point is reached in the cycle of weaving. Y

For the purpose of describing the action of this mechanism, reference must also be had to the feeding mechanism for the weft, which is shown at the right of Fig. 2. This feeding mechanism includes a carriage I3I, which has a conveyor f belt |32 that is carried by the carriage I3I and supported upon an elongated laterally projecting pair of arms or angle irons |33, |34, having a roller |35 at the left end (Fig. 3) and a drive roller |35 at the right end (Fig. 2). The angle irons |33, |34 also support the side plates |31, |38, which confine the loose weft material to the top area of the conveyor belt |32.

It will be evident from Fig, 3 that the left end of the carriage, including the conveyor belt |32,

is adapted to be projected a considerable distance toward the left of the feeding mechanism of Fig. 3. In fact, the conveyor belt and supporting mechanism for it are of sufficient length so that the discharge end I 39 of the conveyor belt |52, which is an endless belt, is. adapted to traverse the reed and lay above the shelf 90 to carry the weft over said shelf and deposit it on the shelf 9|).

Fig. 6 shows a part of the weft material just after the conveyor |32 has carried it over to the left side of the weaving machine of Fig. 1, and it has been caught by the holding device II5. The latch |23 is urged into latching position by a leaf spring |411, but it has an upwardly projecting end IM which is adapted to be engaged by a beveled camming surface |62 carried by a block |23, which is located on the side of the plate |37. Thus the holding device II5 is adapted to be unlatched by the engagement of the camming surface |42 with the end I 6| of the latch when the conveyor |32 reaches the position of Fig. 6.

The unlatching of the holding device II5 permits the spring |26 to move it to the position of Fig. 6, and the hooked end I|9 passes over the weft units III), which are lying upon the shelf 9|), and is adapted to hold these weft units III! during the period of time when the carriage I3I and conveyor |32 recede from the position of Fig. 6 to the position of Fig. 1. During this receding motion another length of the continuous weft units II is laid on the shelf 96, extending from the holding device I|5 at the left side of the lay to the right side of the lay. No holding device is required at the right side of the machine for the reason that in the interim after the completion of the laying of a weft between the shed, the warp threads are crossed about the weft by the heddles, and the warp threads at the right side of the blanket hold the weft when the weft feeding mechanism again moves toward the left in Fig. 1 and lays the strand of weft again on the shelf 5|).

The holding device II5 is again latched when the lay is moved forward in a counterclockwise direction on the lever IIlI (Fig. l) by the cam I 04 as the forward movement of the lay causes it to pass beyond the position of the holding device II5 of Fig. 6 until the holding device reaches a position where it is latched.

The holding 'device may be forced backward to that position by engagement of the lever I I 5 with an appropriate stop or by its engagement with the weft when the lay forces the weft down tightly between the warp threads of the shed.

It should be noted that at the time the lay performs the latter function, the carriage |3I and conveyor |32 have receded from the position of Fig. 6 to that of Fig. 2, so that there is no interference between the end of the latch |23, which is carried by the lay, and the side plate |31 of the carriage I3I.

Of course, the mechanism of Fig. 6 is merely required when the machine is to be operated wholly automatically, and the machine may be operated without the holding mechanism of Fig. 6 by employment of an operator who stands at the left side of the machine in Fig. 2 and holds the weft, as shown in Fig. 6, with his hand or some implement.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 3, I shall now describe the feeding mechanism for the weft, parts of which have been described in connection with the holding device of Fig/6. This feeding mechanism is provided with a framework, including the frame members 34, 35, 36 and horizontal frame members 58, 49, together with additional frame members for holding them together in the relation shown in the figures mentioned. The framework of the feeding mechanism is attached to that of the weaving machine at the horizontal angle iron |50 (Fig. l), which is secured to the horizontal channels d8, 69.

Each channel 48, 4S supports adjacent its ends an inwardly extending angle |5 i-I 54. These are provided with cylindrical bearing apertures for receiving the shafts |55, |56, which also may serve as guides.

The shaft |56 may be xed, and merely serves as a guide: but the shaft |55 is also adapted to rotate for the purpose of driving certain mechanism. The carriage |3I may comprise a framework, such as a horizontal frame member |51, which carries the members I 58, |56, which are of similar shape. Each of the members I 58, |59 is provided with an upwardly extending flange |60, having a pair of' laterally extending wheel trunnions IGI for rotatably supporting flanged wheels |62.

The flanged wheels |62 are so located that the flanges are inside of the channels 48, 49, and the tread of each wheel rests on top of the uppermost flange of the channels 49, 49, which provides tracks for the carriage. The members |58, |59 are also provided with inwardly extending guide arms |53, having cylindrical bores |54 for slidably engaging the shafts |55, |56. That is, the carriage is guided not only by the hanged wheels, but it is held against over-balancing by the extended arm of the conveyor |32, by the guide rods or shafts |55, |55, which retain the carriage on its track.

In addition to this, the shaft |55 supports the beveled gear |55, which engages the beveled gear |55, carried bya laterally extending shaft |51, which is mounted in the upwardly extending arms |58 of the members |58, |59.

The arms |68 also support the frame members |33, |34 and the side plates |31, |38, which extend longitudinally of the track 40, 49 and support and enclose the conveyor belt |32. intervals the frame members |33, |34 and side plates |31, |35 support a plurality of rollers |69 which engage and support the lower side of the upper pari, of the endless belt |32. Additional transverse frame members are provided as required for maintaining the frame members |33, I 34 in parallelism, and the conveyor belt |32 is driven by the roller |35, which in turn is driven by shaft |51 and bevel gears |35, |55.

Conveyor belt |32 continuously moves its uppermost portion, that is, the part visible in Fig. 3, toward the left, so as to feed the weft material toward the weaving machine. The transverse frame member |50 may be provided with a pair of bearing brackets for rotatably supporting a pair of rollers |1I which are adapted to engage under the horizontally extending flange of the frame members |34, |33 to give additional support to the laterally projecting conveyor I3I The shaft |55 is driven by bevel gear |12, which is engaged by bevel gear |13, carried by shaft |14. The shaft |14 carries a bevel gear |15, meshing with a similar gear on the shaft |16, which also has a pair of sprockets |11, one at each end, for driving the carriage.

The sprockets |11 are connected by chains |15 to sprockets |19, carried by a stub shaft |80, journaled in the channeled frame members 48 and 49. Stub shaft |85 carries another sprocket |8| engaged by a chain |32, which extends parallel to the tracks 48, 49, and is carried at the other end of the frame by a sprocket |83 on the stub shaft |84.

The chains |82 each carry a laterally projecting lug |85, which is adapted to engage in the slot |85, formed in the frame member |50 of the carriage so that as the lugs |35 on the chains |82 move longitudinally of the frame they carry with them the carriage I3 I, which is reciprocated from left to right and from right to left in Figs. 2 and 3.

The shaft |16 is thus adapted not only to cause the conveyor belt |32 to feed weft material continuously off the discharge end |39 of the conveyor, but it is adapted to cause the carriage to move back and forth and to lay that material in a continuous layer on the shelf 90 of the lay or reed as the carriage moves over from right to left, and again as the carriage moves back from left to right. Thus the weft material is actually conveyed or carried into the space between the warp threads; that is, into the shed 10, after which the lay is actuated to drive the weft tightly between the warp threads. Thereafter the hed- At spaced dles cause the warp threads to cross, confining the weft between them.

It will be evident that it is unnecessary for the weft material to have any tensile strength, as loose fibers can be conveyed by the feeding mechanism to the proper place. Such loose fibers may be placed upon the conveyor belt |32 by means of a hopper |90, which may be provided with conventional agitating and feeding means, so that the fibers will be continuously deposited in a layer, uniformly on the conveyor belt |32.

In other embodiments of the invention, when the weft units I I5 are employed, these strands or units of loose and carded bers, confined by spiral threads, can be continuously withdrawn from coiled form in the barrel, by the action of the conveyor belt |32, frictionally engaging the lower side of the weft units.

When a hopper is employed, it is of course located sufficiently close to the left end of the feeding mechanism of Fig. 3 so that it is always above a part of the conveyor belt |32.

The weft feeding mechanism is synchronized with the other mechanism of the Weaving machine and is adapted to be actuated automatically and periodically by means of the mechanism which is illustrated in Fig. 4, parts of it being also shown in Figs. l, 2, and 3.

The weft feeding mechanism must be stopped during the interval of time when the lay and the heddles are actuated, and at that time the lay and heddles must be operated instead, in proper succession.

Referring again to Figs. 1 and 4, the shaft is driven through the intermediary of the clutch 54 by the motor 59, and shaft 53 may be provided with an automatic clutch collar 200, both ends of which are toothed, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4, for driving one or the other of the right hand and left hand clutch elements 20| 252, which are adjacent to it, but loosely mounted on the shaft 53 for rotation.

The clutch element 26| is secured to a pinion 203, which drives a gear 254, carried by shaft 205, at a reduced speed. Shaft 205 is rotatably mounted in bearings 20B and carries a pinion 201, engaging gear 25B, carried by shaft 209.

Shaft 299 has its bearings indicated at ZII), and it is provided with a beveled pinion 2II, which engages the beveled pinion 2I2 that is secured to the carn disc |05, having the groove |04. This is the cam which actuates the lay, and the intermediate gears are for the purpose of actuating this cam and the lay at proper speed.

When the right hand clutch element 20| is engaged by the clutch collar 250, gear 203 is actuated to drive shaft 205 and shaft 209 .and to actuate the cam |94, which controls the movement of the lay. The other clutch member 252 (Fig. 4) is connected by a sleeve 2|5 with the sprocket |11, carried by shaft |15, previously mentioned as being the drive shaft for the conveyor belt and carriage of the weft feeding mechanism.

When the clutch collar is moved toward the left in Fig. 1, the weft feeding mechanism is actuated, and when the clutch collar 290 is moved toward the right, the lay is actuated. In order that the clutch collar 259 may be automatically actuated, its parts are arranged as follows:

The collar is provided with a groove 2|6 for engaging a roller 2 I1 on a loosely pivoted arm 2 I 4, which is pivoted at 2|9. The clutch arm 2I8 is pivoted on the frame at the point 2 I9, and comprises a member with a pair of inwardly extending arms 220, having adjustable set screws 22| with lock nuts.

The arm 214, which carries the roller 2I'I, has a limited degree of lost motion between the set screws 221, carried by arm 218, which set screws engage the arm 214. The lever 218 is pivoted at its upper end by a screw bolt 222 to a tubular rod 223, within which slides another rod 224 that is pivotally mounted on the frame at 225.

A compression spring 226 is located in the tubular rod 223 and is engaged by the end of the rod 224. Thus the compression spring 226 and its associated mechanism constitute a snap mechanism for the clutch collar 200, and the collar 200 is forced by the spring 226 into engagement with one or the other of the clutch members 20|, 202, and ordinarily does not come to rest in the position shown in Fig. 4, where it is shown in a position of transition from one clutch member to the other. The additional lost motion, which is provided by this mechanism and by the loosely pivoted lever 214, permits the actu- .ation of this clutch by two different controlling devices, one of which is controlled by the position of the carriage, and the other of which is controlled by the position of the cam disc |05.

The cam disc is provided with a cam 230 for engaging the end of a lever 23|, which is pivoted on the frame at 232. The lever 23| is connected by a pair of yokes 233, 234 and a connecting rod 235 to the lever 218 in such manner that when the cam 230 reaches a predetermined position and actuates the lever 23|, the clutch collar 200 is moved over into engagement with the clutch member 262.

Thus, during the cycle of the movement of the cam disc |05, when the cam disc reaches a predetermined position, that is, upon the completion of the backward movement of the lay after driving the weft up to the fell, the control cam 230 actuates the clutch to shut olf movement of the gear 203, which drives the cam |05, and the lay is then still until the clutch is again actuated by the controlling mechanism that is actuated by the carriage.

The latter mechanism is described as follows: A bellcrank 240 is pivotally mounted at 24| on a part of the frame 242. One arm of the bellcrank is pivotally connected by an adjustable connecting rod 243 to the lower end of the clutch lever 213. The other arm of the bellcrank is pivotally connected by a long adjustable connecting rod 244 to a trip lever 245, which is pivotally mounted on the frame of the feed mechanism at the point 246 adjacent the path of the carriage.

The carriage 131 has a reciprocable spring pressed plunger 241, mounted in a socket member 248, which is carried by the carriage, and the plunger member 24'1 has its rear side provided with a beveled surface 249.

The feed mechanism frame has a toothed wheel 250 mounted for rotation about the stub shaft 25|, and provided with regularly spaced laterally projecting teeth 252. The size of the wheel 250 and the space between the pins 252 are such that each time the carriage 13| moves toward the right (in Fig. 1 or in Fig. 3), the spring pressed plunger 241 engages one of the pins 252 and rotates the wheel 250 one step in a clockwise direction. The second pin behind the pin so actuated in a clock-` wise direction is in engagement with the bellcrank 245 and is adapted at this same time to rotate that bellcrank in a counterclockwise direction. This produces a pull on the connecting rod 244, and through the bellcrank 240, a pull on the connecting rod 243, which actuates the clutch lever 218 in a clockwise direction, moving the clutch member 200 toward the right (in Fig. 4) to engage andA actuate the pinion 203.

Thus, at the end of each movement of the carriage toward the right (in Fig. 1), the clutch 200 is so actuated that gear 203, and through it the lay cam |05, are caused to start into motion.

As previously stated, this motion of the lay cam continues until the lay has performed its function, and through the controlling mechanism 230 to 235 the clutch collar 200 is pulled in the opposite direction to shut off the motion of the lay cam.

It should be noted that as the carriage 13| moves toward the left, in Fig. 4, the spring pressed plunger 241 has its beveled side 249 engage the adjacent pins 252, which causes the plunger 241 to recede against pressure of its pin, and snap over the pin instead of actuating the wheel 250.

Thus the clutch is actuated only upon the right hand motion of the lay at the end of the range of movement of the carriage, so that the lay is actuated only when the conveyor |32 has been withdrawn from between the shed 18.

In order to make the blanket of insulation which is thus woven still more uniform in thickness, and to eliminate joints between successive insulating units |10, which have the loose fibers protruding from the spiral thread wrappings III and IIZ, I prefer to spray the successive insulating units with an adhesive solution such as a solution of sodium silicate, which causes the protween the insulating units.

This spraying may be carried on by hand by means of a nozzle, but is preferably accomplished automatically by means of a laterally directed nozzle 260 carried by the end of a pipe 26|, which extends longitudinally of the carriage 13| and is carried thereby.

The pipe 26| has an elbow and is connected to a laterally extending pipe joint 262 at the right end of the carriage |31, and is provided with an automatic valve 263 (Fig. 3), carried by the carriage and adapted to be actuated when the carriage reaches a predetermined position. The continuation 264 of the pipe to the source of supply of the spraying solution is made of exible hose of suicient length to permit movement of the carriage without interfering with the tank.

The pipe 264 is, of course, supplied with a supply of the silicate solution, or other suitable solution, under pressure, so that it is only necessary to open the valve to accomplish the spraying by means of the nozzle, which is directed toward the unfinished edge of the blanket inside the shed. Thus the successive weft members are adapted to be sprayed so that the intermingling loose fibers will not only be brought into contact with each other, but will be caused to` adhere to each other, to prevent any segregation of the weft units or forming of cracks in the blanket, even when the blanket is bent about a body to be insulated. The bending of the blanket and the tensioning ofthe outer layer of the weft only results in the separation ofthe loose bers'within the insulating units and does not result in separation at the cracks between the insulating units of the weft.

The loom is of course provided with a suitable take-up mechanism as described in my prior application Serial No. 215,397, mentioned above.

This take-up is described briefly as follows: The woven blanket 300 of insulating material is carried over a curved fixed apron thence to a pair of idling rolls 302, 303, and down to a roller 2S9, about which it passes in a clockwise direction. The blanket then extends horizontally, passing under the roller 304 and over roller 305 in a clockwise direction and counterclockwise about the roller 30S. Then, with a backward turn, it is wound upon the roll 307 which is carried by the mandrel 308, loosely mounted for rotating and sliding movement between the standard 3st) and the rod 3|0. The roll 301 of the blanket rests loosely upon the roller 300, and thus it raises as the roll becomes bigger. It is for this purpose that the mandrel 308 is mounted for rotating and sliding movement in the slot 3l I. The rollers 299, 304, and 306 may be geared H together and driven by means of chains, and the blanket itself passes between the rollers 304 and 306, so that it is positively fed to form the roll 307. The roller 302 is provided with teeth for engaging the blanket and positively moving the blanket forward step by step from the loom.

The operation of the complete loom will be evident to those skilled in the art from the preceding description of the operations of the respective parts thereof. Therefore, it is sufficient to say that in the present loom the carriage l3| is adapted to support and convey the weft material in the form of loose fibers into the space of the shed at periodic intervals so that these loose fibers can be bound by means of the warp ,l

and compacted by means of the lay into a compact blanket.

In addition to loose fibers of Amosite asbestos, which have merely been carded and opened, practically any type of mineral, animal, or vegetable fiber may be woven, such as processed mineral fibers, rock wool in its customary forms, or any form of asbestos fibers. It is also possible to use fur, feathers, cotton, wool, linen, or any other known animal, vegetable, or mineral fiber. means of minera] wool, blankets may be woven which may be used at temperatures from 750 to 1,000 degrees F.

Where loose fibers are employed, the hopper i90 would be used for distributing the fibers on the conveyor belt; but where the fibers have been previously bound into insulating units of the type shown in Fig. 1 of my prior application, Ser, No. 188,720, filed February 4, 1938, it is sufficient to permit the conveyor belt |32 to draw such insulating unit out of a coil in a barrel and convey it to the machine to be used as the weft.

In the weaving of the blanket such insulating units may be employed, or the method may be modified, as follows: Loosely carded insulating fibers of any of the materials listed may be placed in a hopper and deposited from the hopper in an even layer on a conveying belt, which is moved at a uniform rate of speed. As the conveying belt moves, it is uniformly covered, and when coveied to a sufficient extent the belt or other supporting surface may be conveyed to the space between the warp threads, that is, inside the shed, and fibers deposited upon a comb of such shape as to have a supporting surface for the fibers.

The comb or lay is then moved forward to drive these bers tightly into the fell, and after the lay recedes the warp threads may be crossed. This can be done by hand, the fibers being driven ByL into the shed by means of a long block, or it can be done by means of the structure of the machine described herein.

After one weft is woven into the fabric, the fabric, which is wound upon a drum, is caused to progress one step forward so as to be ready for the next weft. Thus the loose fibers are woven into a blanket.

When the insulating units of the type shown in my prior application, Ser. No. 188,720, Fig. 1, are employed, they are carried in the form of one or two units or more on the conveying belt in exactly the same manner as just described for loose fibers. The only difference is that the operation may be carried on by machine or by hand, more quickly and conveniently than can be done with loose fibers.

The weft is then caught at the opposite side of the fabric and held either by hand or by a holding device, and the weft unit is strung not only across, but backward from that point, before the weft is bound into the blanket by the warp threads. In other respects the operation is exactly the same as in making a blanket of entirely loose fibers.

In addition to holding the fibers together by warp threads, the edges of each successive weft unit are preferably sprayed with the adhesive solution previously described, which causes the loose bers of one insulating unit to adhere to the fibers of the next adjacent ones, and totally eliminates any possibility of any cracks between insulating units.

It will thus be observed that it is an absolute necessity for the operation of the machine that the loom be stopped when conveying mechanism is vbeing operatedand vice-versa. This is accomplished and the loom is controlled automatically by the mechanism, the principal parts of which are illustrated in Fig. 4. The operation of this mechanism has already been described in connection with the description of its parts.

The clutch element 200 is adapted to be moved to the left or the right, depending upon the position in which the conveyor is located, or the position in which the lay is located. When the clutch collar 200 is moved toward the left in Fig. 4, the weft feeding mechanism, that is, the conveyor of Fig. 3, is actuated. When the clutch collar 200 is moved toward the right, the lay is actuated and the loom operates to secure one weft assembly between the warp threads in the usual way.

The clutch collar 200 is actuated by a snap mechanism so that it is positively held in one or the other of its positions and there is no possibility that the two conflicting parts of the machine may be driven at the same time.

It will thus be observed that I have invented an improved controlling mechanism for the parts of this special loom by means of which the loom, including its heddles and lay, may be stopped automatically and the parts held in predetermined position while the conveyor mechanism is moved into the shed to deposit loose fibers or a special yarn on the comb in the shed. The lay cannot be actuated again until this conveyor has moved out of the shed and the weft is properly laid in the shed after which the conveyor is automatically stopped and the loom automatically started to drive the weft into the shed and cross'the warp threads to form a new shed.

While I have illustrated a preferred embodiment of my invention, many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and I do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of all changes Within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. In a controlling mechanism for a loom having two driven elements adapted to be driven alternately and a driving member adapted to be driven continuously withsa controlling mechanism interposed between said driving member and said driven members comprising a clutch member having two positions on a driven shaft and adapted to connect the driving member` with one or the other of said driven members alternately, said clutch member having an annular groove therein and a movable lever having a lug engaged in said groove, spring means adapted to be compressed by the movement of said lever when said clutch member moves from either of its engaging positions through a neutral position, and means engaging said lever and actuated by one of said driven members to move said lever and said clutch from one of its driving positions to the other of its driving positions.

2. In a controlling mechanism for a loom, the combination of a support with means for rotatably supporting a cam disc and a driving shaft, said driving shaft being provided with a movable clutch element, one driven member on said shaft at one side of said clutch element and another driven member on said shaft on the other side of said clutch element, and means actuated by said cam disc for urging said clutch element into predetermined position.

3. In a controlling mechanism for a loom, the combination of a support with means for rotatably supporting a cam disc and a driving shaft, said driving shaft being provided with a movable clutch element, one driven member on said shaft at one side of said clutch element and another driven member on said shaft on the other side of said clutch element, means actuated by said cam disc for urging said clutch element into predetermined position, and means operatively connecting one of said driven elements with said cam disc whereby said cam disc is driven at a predetermined rate of speed.

4. In a controlling mechanism for a loom, the combination of a support with means for rotatably supporting a cam disc and with a driving shaft, said driving shaft being provided with a movable clutch element, one driven member on said shaft at one side of said clutch element and another driven member on said shaft on the other side of said clutch element, means actuated by said cam disc for urging said clutch element into predetermined position, means operatively connecting one of saiddriving elements with said cam disc whereby said cam disc is driven at a predetermined rate of speed, and means connected operatively with said other driven element and a loom element whereby the loom element is driven by said other driven element.

5. In a controlling mechanism for a loom, the combination of a support with means for rotatably supporting a cam disc and a driving shaft, said driving shaft being provided with a movable clutch element, one driven member on said shaft at one side of said clutch element and another driven member on said shaft on the other side of said clutch element, means actuated by said cam disc for urging said clutch element into predetermined position, means operatively connecting one of said driving elements with said cam disc whereby said cam disc is driven at a predetermined rate of speed, means connected operatively with said other driven element and a loom element whereby the loom element is driven by said other driven element, and means actuated by said loom element for moving the clutch in the opposite direction to its actuation by said cam disc.

6. In a controlling mechanism for a loom, the combination of a support with a driving shaft, said shaft having a pinion thereon with a clutch face, a clutch element splined to saiddriving Y shaft and slidably mounted thereon, a tubular shaft rotatably mounted on said driving shaft and having a clutch face arranged lfor engagement with said clutch element, said clutch element having a pair of annular shoulders-formed thereon, a freely pivoted lever having a roller engaging said annular shoulders for actuating said clutch into either of two positions engaging said clutch faces, and an actuating lever mounted on said support and having shoulders for lost motion engagement with said freely pivoted lever.

'7. In a controlling mechanism for a loom, the combination of a support with a driving shaft, said shaft having a pinion thereon With a clutch face, a clutch element splined to said driving shaft and slidably mounted thereon, a tubular` shaft rotatably mounted on said driving shaft and having a clutch face arranged for engagement with said clutch element, said clutch element having a pair of annular shoulders formed thereon, a freely pivoted lever having a roller engaging said annular shoulders for actuating said clutch into either of two positions engaging said clutch faces, an actuating lever mounted on said support and having shoulders for lost motion engagement With said freely pivoted lever, and a spring-pressed plunger having one of its ends pivotally mounted on said support and having the other end engaging a spring in a tubular guide member, said guide member having its opposite end pivoted to said actuating lever whereby the clutch may be urged from one position to the other with a snap action.

8. In a, controlling mechanism for a loom having a cam disc for controlling a loom element, the combination of a support with a driving shaft, said shaft having a pinion thereon with a clutch face, a clutch element splined to said driving shaft and slidably mounted thereon, a tubular shaft rotatably mounted on said driving shaft and having a clutch face arranged for engagement With said clutch element, said clutch element having a pair of annular shoulders formed thereon, a freely pivoted lever having a roller engaging said annular shoulders for actuating said clutch into either of two positions engaging said clutch faces, an actuating lever mounted on said support and having shoulders for lost motion engagement With said freely pivoted lever, a spring-pressed plunger having one of its ends pivotally mounted on Said support and having the other end engaging a spring in a tubular guide member, said guide member having its opposite end pivoted to said actuating leverl whereby the clutch may be urged from one position to the other with a snap action, a connecting rod conneoted to said actuating lever and connected to a lever having its end in proximity to the cam disc of the loom, and means on said cam disc for engaging said end of said latter lever to exert a force onsaid actuating lever and move said clutch from one position to the other, the lost motion between said actuating lever and freely pivoted lever permitting the spring-pressed plunger to pass dead center before ctuating said clutch.

9. In a controlling mechanism for a loom, the combination of a support with a driving shaft, said shaft having a pinion thereon with a clutch face, a clutch element splined to said driving shaft and slidably mounted thereon, a tubular shaft rotatably mounted on said driving shaft and having a clutch face arranged for engagement with said clutch element, said tubular shaft being arranged to drive a loom element, said clutch element having a pair of annular shoulders formed thereon, a freely pivoted lever having a roller engaging said annular shouders for actuating said clutch into either of two positions engaging said clutch faces, an actuating lever mounted on said support and having shoulders for lost motion engagement with said freely pivoted lever, and a spring-pressed plunger having one of its ends pivotally mounted on said support and having the other end engaging a spring in a tubular guide member, said guide member having its opposite end pivoted to said actuating lever whereby the clutch may be urged from one position to the other with a snap action, a lever pivoted on said support adjacent the loom element and means carried by the loom element for actuating said lever in a predetermined direction when the loom element reaches a limit of its movement, and means connectingsaid latter lever with said actuating lever whereby the clutch may be moved in a predetermined direction when the loom element reaches a limit of its movement.

10. In a controlling mechanism for a loom or the like, the combination of a supporting framework with a driving shaft and bearings carried by said framework for rotatably supporting said shaft, said shaft having a pinion thereon and said pinion carrying a clutch face, said pinion being freely mounted on said shaft, a clutch member splined to said Shaft and slidably mounted thereon adjacent said clutch face, and a tubular shaft carried by said driving other side of said clutch member and having a clutch face on its end, said clutch member having an annular groove formed therein and a lever pivoted on said support having a roller in said groove, a second lever pivoted on said support and having shoulders provided with adjustable threaded members for engaging said rst-mentioned lever, whereby a predetermined lost motion may be provided between said levers, a snap mechanism connected to the second of said levers comprising a plunger and a tubular housing, and a compression spring interposed between the end of the plunger and the closed end of said housing, said plunger and housing having one end pivotally mounted on said support and the other pivotally secured to said lever with the spring compressed.

11. In a controlling mechanism for a loom or the like, the combination of a supporting framework with a driving shaft and bearings carried by said framework for rotatably supporting said shaft, said shaft having a pinion thereon and said pinion carrying a clutch face, said pinion being freely mounted on said shaft, a clutch member splined to said shaft and slidably mounted thereon adjacent said clutch face, and a tubular shaft carried by said driving shaft on the other side of said clutch member and having a clutch face on its end, said clutch having an annular groove formed therein and a lever pivshaft on the' oted on V'said support having a roller in said groove, a second lever pivoted on said support and having shoulders provided with adjustable threaded members for engaging said first-mentioned lever, whereby a predetermined lost motion may be provided between said levers, a snap mechanism connected to the second of said levers comprising a plunger and a tubular housing, a compression spring interposed between the end of the plunger and the closed end of said housing, said plunger and housing having one end pivotally mounted on said support and the other pivotally secured to said lever with the spring compressed, a connecting rod connected to said second lever and having its end pivotally connected to a third lever carried by said support, said third lever having its opposite end adjacent a shoulder carried by a cam disc driven by said pinion whereby when the cam disc reaches a predetermined position, the third lever is actuated to actuate said second lever through said connecting rod, and after lost motion, to actu ate said freely pivoted lever and drive said clutch into position of disengagement from the clutch face on said pinion to stop said cam disc.

12. In a controlling mechanism for a loom or the like, the combination of a supporting framework with a driving shaft and bearings carried by said framework for rotatably supporting said shaft, said shaft having a pinion thereon and said pinion carrying a clutch face, said pinion being freely mounted on said shaft, a clutch member splined to said shaft and slidably mounted thereon adjacent said clutch face, and a tubular shaft carried by said driving shaft on the other side of said clutch member and having a clutch face on its end, said clutch having an annular groove formed therein and a lever pivoted on said support having a roller in said groove, a second lever pivoted on said support and having shoulders provided with adjustable threaded members for engaging said first-mentioned lever, whereby a predetermined lost motion may be provided between said levers, a snap mechanism connected to the second of said levers comprising a plunger and a tubular housing, a compression spring interposed between the end of the plunger and the closed end of said housing, said plunger and housing having one end pivotally mounted on said support and the other pivotally secured to said lever with the spring compressed, a disc carried by said support having a plurality of pins projecting therefrom and arranged in a circle, a spring-pressed beveled pawl carried by a controlled element driven from said tubular shaft, said pawl being located to engage one of said pins when said controlled element reaches a predetermined position, a lever engaged by another of said pins when said disc is rotated by engagement with said pawl, and means connecting said latter lever with the second lever whereby the clutch is actuated to such a position that the clutch is disengaged from the clutch face on the tubular shaft when the controlled element moves into said predetermined position.

13. In a controlling mechanism for a machine having two driven elements adapted to be driven alternately, the combination of a pair of driven elements with a driving member adapted to be driven continuously and a clutch member interposed between said driving member and said driven members, said clutch member being located between said driven members and being adapted to engage one or the other of said driven members, resilient snap means for actuating said controlling element whereby the controlling ele.. ment may be moved to a point past dead center of said spring snap means before the driven element is stopped so that the driven element may itself actuate the clutch in conjunction with said .spring snap means into a position to stop the drive of said driven element.

WILLIAM F. ASTLEY. 

